the real australian - The Bush Church Aid Society

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Richard Lanham Ordained – Congratulations! It is a very significant time in the life of someone in the church when they go on that journey of being a lay person to becoming an ordained minister. This recently took place for Richard Lanham, who is the Bush Church Aid supported Youth Minister in Sale. Rich was ordained deacon in Sale Cathedral by the Bishop of Gippsland, Rt Rev John McIntyre, on the 22nd June 2013. Bishop John had originally encouraged Richard into ministry when he invited him to join the ministry team at Redfern, a tough inner city Sydney parish, way back in the early 1990’s. Bishop It’s about God’s grace. A deacon is called to leadership in the ministry of serving that we are, in fact, all called into. Richard’s model of ministry shows the way to all of us, by encouraging us to look to Jesus and see the amazing grace of God. Ministry in your strength alone will limit what God can do.” At the celebration afterwards, we learnt just how much Richard’s ministry was indeed a testament to God’s grace. Richard grew up in the parish of Greensborough, where he had been a rather wild larrikin, (which Rich can tell you all about). As Rector of Redfern, Bishop John had taken a huge faith risk employing Richard, who claims John had first met Richard as a youth The Revd Richard Lanham and the Rt Revd John McIntyre he had no skills or ability at the time. ministry student Nonetheless, just as while teaching at Ridley Melbourne. The Bishop’s text, 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 had been carefully chosen. It was read by Richard’s father Russell, who you could see was visibly moved, with tears welling up in his eyes. The Bishop commented, “God will use you, not for your strengths, and not impeded by your weaknesses. Rather, focus on His love and He will set you free to serve. It’s not about you, it’s not about Rich. Bishop John had seen “the gold that others couldn’t see”, Richard’s current ministry is characterised by seeing the gold in people that others cannot see. In a wonderful way, Richard turned the celebration into an evangelistic meeting, saying that everyone had gold in them because they were created in God’s image. “God will develop us if we will let him.” With a big smile on his face Richard closed by saying he would love to 14 SPRING 2013
BCA Staff also joined Rich to support him at his ordination help us find the gold in our lives if we so desired. And that’s exactly what Richard is doing – helping young people in Gippsland find God’s gold in their lives. Helen Stokoe, a parishioner, thanked God wife Julie were BCA Field Staff there for 6 years prior to God’s call to Sale. It was obvious that the Lanhams’ ministry in Gilgandra, including their friendships with Aboriginal people, was deeply for BCA, saying that, Rich was supported by his family on this very special day respected. Moreover, the “without BCA we wouldn’t have Rich. He is a fantastic youth minister, just what we needed. He develops other leaders and we are all enriched by having Rich and Julie here.” Richard was well supported and encouraged by a large representative turnout of family, friends and parishioners. Rev Michael Birch brought greetings from respect for Richard’s ministry, whether in Melbourne, Redfern, Gilgandra or Sale was plainly evident to the BCA representatives, who included Ms Robyn Williams, the National Administration Manager, Bob and Veronica Barclay, Kelvin and Annette Hill and Rev Adrian Lane, Victorian Regional Officer. There was gold in this ministry, and St Ambrose’s, Gilgandra. Michael had been it was plainly worth supporting. • rector in Gilgandra when Richard and his Adrian Lane the real australian 15
Page 1 and 2: SPRING 2013 the real australian Und
Page 3 and 4: Editorial During a recent visit to
Page 5 and 6: Many games and fun were also had du
Page 7 and 8: A number of Nomads recently visited
Page 9 and 10: Bibles featuring an article by him
Page 11 and 12: A gathering of one of the early Mai
Page 13: Open Gate and the Mental Health Fir
Page 17 and 18: A group from Mount Kembla in Winton
Page 19 and 20: Tracks Of Grace BCA supported minis
Page 21 and 22: April Bottom Scholarship 2014 Hayle
Page 23 and 24: Celebrating BCA’s birthday in App
Page 25 and 26: Avril and Barry Luke works at the O
Page 27 and 28: From the Archives For all the marks
Page 29 and 30: 2 new Christmas Cards Aboriginal de
Page 31 and 32: Response Form Personal details Revd
Page 33 and 34: HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! God bless all of
Page 35: I WANT TO BE A MEMBER OF BCA FOR KI

the real australian - The Bush Church Aid Society

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